Elite Traveler July-August 2017

Penthouse Suite IL SERENO, LAKE COMO, ITALY

Bringing luxurious modern design to the shores of Lake Como, Il Sereno attracts style-conscious travelers to experience a stay in this enticing region. On the waterfront, mountain and lake views abound from the hotel’s cavernous interiors, and they are at their most impressive from the Penthouse Suite. Along with these panoramic views, it’s the interiors by award-winning designer Patricia Urquiola that win guests over; floors are inlaid with Venetian terrazzo, bathrooms are paneled in stone and skylights let the light flood in. VIP services include Maserati transfers, private boat tours and exclusive wine tasting sessions. Previous guests include Daniel Ek, Mark Zuckerberg and Chris Rock. From $3,495 per night, contact Valentina Paggi, hotel manager, valentina.paggi@ilsereno.com, +39 031 547 7800, serenohotels.com

Nagi Villa AMANEMU, SHIMA, JAPAN

In its remote setting on Japan’s wild Ise-Shima peninsula, the hot spring resort Amanemu commands uninterrupted views over Ago Bay and out towards its islets and pearl rafts. These views can be savored in the two-bedroom Nagi Villa in which expansive living areas and bedroom pavilions open out onto verandas with daybeds and an alfresco dining area. In harmony with the rest of the resort, the interiors fuse contemporary design with traditional Japanese aesthetics, but perhaps the greatest attribute of this luxury villa is the integration of a private onsen , which draws nutrient-rich water from the nearby hot springs. From $5,100 per night, contact Hisayo Shimizu, general manager, hshimizu@aman. com, +65 671 588 55, aman.com

John Jacob Astor Estate THE ST. REGIS MALDIVES VOMMULI RESORT, DHAALU ATOLL, MALDIVES

An unobstructed view of crystal-clear, calm turquoise water is the bare minimum you can expect from an over-water bungalow in the Maldives. As usual, The St. Regis sets the bar even higher at its newest property’s most luxurious offering, the John Jacob Astor Estate. And an estate it truly is! The three-bedroom, two-story over-water bungalow is practically a boutique hotel unto itself. The 990 sq ft infinity pool is surrounded by daybeds, sofas and sun loungers, offering a private and comprehensive outdoor experience. Stairs lead from the pool straight into the ocean for underwater exploring. Inside, modern furnishings and custom artwork create a soothing environment. Classic St. Regis butler service tops off the luxurious experience. From $26,220 per night, contact Aini Zariyah, director of marketing and communications, aini.zariyah@stregiscom, +960 676 6333, stregismaldives.com Photo Ralf Tooten